Caution: Bulldog at Large!

The grounds of Johnson Hagood Stadium are now guarded by a tenacious new presence on campus: The Citadel Bulldog Monument!

Michael Hamby, a retired pro football player with the Buffalo Bills, created the bulldog monument.

Poised ferociously on the corner of Hagood Avenue and Congress Street, this impressive statue, on its pedestal, will stand 10 feet tall, watching over the Corps of Cadets while gazing protectively toward The Citadel campus.

The monument was officially unveiled during an invitation-only event on Friday, Aug. 29.

This new "big dog on campus" was crafted in the likeness of Bulldog mascot Boo by renowned sculpture artist Michael Hamby, a retired professional football player with the Buffalo Bills. His commissioned sculptures include works for the NFL Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. One of his best known works is “Fierce Encounter,” which depicts two 24-foot grizzly bears towering over the entrance of Cabela’s largest store in Dundee, Mich. Among his other prominent commissions are sculptures created for Merrill Lynch, USA Today, and the National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins, Colo.

Boo, one of The Citadel's two bulldog mascots, poses with the new bulldog monument created in his likeness.

What is the statue’s name?
The Citadel Bulldog Monument does not have a name; however, it is a replica of The Citadel’s live mascot, “Boo.”

Where will it go?
On the corner of Hagood Avenue and Congress Street in the plaza at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Why there? So it can guard the Corps of Cadets as it gazes protectively toward The Citadel campus.

How big is it? 8’ long x 5.5’ tall
600 to 800 pounds.

Who is the artist?
The statue’s artist is Michael Hamby, a retired pro football player with the Buffalo Bills. His commissioned sculptures include works for the NFL Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

How long did it take to create?
Nearly a year.

Who paid for the monument?The money was donated by the Class of 1968, however, the names of those who made donations to the Les Robinson Bulldog Challenge - a fundraising effort to support the revitalized Johnson Hagood Stadium - will be inscribed on individual plaques that will be mounted on the monument base. Those individuals will also receive a limited edition bronze bulldog with brass name plate.

How far did it have to travel to reach Johnson Hagood Stadium?
The monument came from a studio in Pavillion, Wyo. Without stops it is a three-day trip. They had trouble getting through the state of Georgia (for obvious reasons).

What is Boo's story?Boo was happy to pose for Hamby. When asked what he thought of his larger-than-life likeness, Boo replied: "Woof!"

Boo was born on Sept. 30, 2003, and was donated by Citadel alumnus Fred Ducker, '63. He joins General, who is three months older, as a member of the two-dog mascot team that attends special events, football games, parades and anything involving the Corps of Cadets. General was a gift from the Class of 2003. Boo is named after the late Lt. Col. Thomas Nugent Courvoisie, a former commandant nicknamed "The Boo" by cadets. Boo comes from a long line of Bulldogs that have been serving The Citadel for more than 15 years.

Boo's and General's main duty is to provide morale for the Corps of Cadets, faculty and staff and all of the Bulldog athletic teams. Other duties include barking at opposing teams, eating numerous dog biscuits throughout the day and being pampered by the cadets.

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